Which place is cheaper, Wisconsin Dells or San Antonio?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for San Antonio and Wisconsin Dells. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
San Antonio is a colorful, festive, and fun city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the food, shopping, and museums.
Wisconsin Dells is a fun-filled, lighthearted, and high energy city. It's also known for nightlife, food, and hiking.
Travelers will usually find more to do in San Antonio. Although San Antonio and Wisconsin Dells are popular destinations, San Antonio has more sights and attractions for tourists. San Antonio is very popular for its museums, music, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Wisconsin Dells attracts visitors for its nightlife, resorts, and hiking. Wisconsin Dells is more touristy than San Antonio and is known for its many waterparks and unapologetically playful atmosphere. San Antonio is famous for being the home to the Alamo, the popular RiverWalk area, and several world-class amusement parks. It is also well known for The Alamo.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Wisconsin Dells and San Antonio. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
San Antonio is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Wisconsin Dells is a city with minimal options for its historical sights.
San Antonio offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. It is known for its role in American history, and the city is famous as the location of the Alamo. It's also where you'll find the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park & Mission Trail, the San Antonio Museum of Art, Witte Museum, and the Guinness World Records Museum, among others.
While most people don't head to Wisconsin Dells specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. There are a couple of art galleries in the area, but most visitors spend the majority of their time at the theme parks and waterparks.
Dining out at restaurants in both San Antonio and Wisconsin Dells can be an enjoyable experience.
San Antonio offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. You'll find a mix of amazing and authentic Mexican food, simpler Tex Mex, and a number of Hill Country specialties. The city is filled with comfort food and the restaurants reflect the diverse character of the population. Popular local dishes include tacos, sweet potato fries, and chicken fried steak.
Wisconsin Dells has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Pizza, pasta, burgers, and steak in a family-friendly atmosphere are the most common options in the area. There are also a few fine dining restaurants as well as pubs and brunch places to choose from.
Wisconsin Dells is a great destination for nightlife. Also, San Antonio is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.
The people in Wisconsin Dells know how to have a good time. In the evening the fun-filled atmosphere takes on a different vibe. There are bars, clubs, casinos, and shows that keep things lively throughout the evening.
If you're looking for night time activities San Antonio has a few options to choose from. The city's nightlife scene is diverse, with dance halls, breweries, and clubs. It has seen a recent boom in dance clubs, so there are plenty of places to party hard, or to have a more relaxing night out. The RiverWalk is at the heart of the city's nightlife scene, particularly for tourists. Many conferences stay at hotels near the RiverWalk, so it's not uncommon to see professionals out and about after a day of networking.
San Antonio is a popular place for its live music scene. However, Wisconsin Dells is not a live music destination.
The music scene in San Antonio is active and vibrant. It's worth checking out The Aztec Theater, Sam's Burger Joint, and 502 Bar.
Wisconsin Dells is not a live music destination.
Wisconsin Dells is a good destination for its resorts. However, San Antonio is not a resort destination.
Wisconsin Dells has a handful of resorts to choose from. Many of the waterparks in the area have affiliated resorts that offer family-friendly entertainment.
San Antonio is not a resort destination.
San Antonio is a popular place for its old town. However, Wisconsin Dells does not have a historic old town.
Many people head to San Antonio to see the old town. The city is famous for its River Walk, which may feel slightly cheesy, but is still a unique and mesmerizing place to wander.
Wisconsin Dells does not have a historic old town.
Wisconsin Dells is a good destination for its hiking experiences. However, San Antonio is not a hiking destination.
Wisconsin Dells offers some nice hiking trails. Visitors often forget that this was originally a destination for its natural beauty. There are still many hiking trails in the area with some of the favorites found at Mirror Lake State Park, Rocky Arbor State Park, and Chimney Rock Private Park.
San Antonio is not a hiking destination.
San Antonio is a popular place for its shopping opportunities. However, Wisconsin Dells is a city with minimal options for its shopping areas.
San Antonio offers some nice shopping areas. From souvenir shops to local boutiques and chain stores, there are several shopping options around town. Check out the historic Market Square or the shops at Rivercenter for some of the city's most interesting shopping.
Wisconsin Dells has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. You'll find shopping malls and shopping centers, as well as gift shops in the area.
San Antonio is a popular place for its Christmas activities. However, Wisconsin Dells does not offer Christmas activities.
San Antonio offers some nice Christmas activities. It's fun to see the lights along the River Walk at Christmas.
Wisconsin Dells does not offer Christmas activities.
Both San Antonio and Wisconsin Dells are amazing family-friendly destinations.
With a huge array of activities for kids, San Antonio is very family-friendly. The RiverWalk is a fun family-friendly area. There's also Six Flags, SeaWorld and the San Antonio Zoo as well as a number of museums and other amusement parks in the area. It's easy to spend days having a great family vacation in this area and you can combine history, culture, and entertainment all in one setting.
As it has a large number of activities for kids, Wisconsin Dells is a very family-friendly destination. While it used to be known for its impressive sandstone formations along the Wisconsin River, today it has a more touristy atmosphere with theme parks and amusement parks. It's also become known as the "Water Park Capital of the World", and it won't disappoint. There are both indoor and outdoor waterparks as well as train rides, boat rides, and plenty of family-friendly restaurants.
San Antonio and Wisconsin Dells both nice destinations for a couple.
San Antonio is a nice destination for couples. Couples will enjoy taking a boat ride and exploring the many sites around town. The RiverWalk has many restaurants and a great atmosphere for a date night. There's also the botanical gardens and many outdoor spaces to explore.
Wisconsin Dells makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are a number of resorts with spas and romantic atmospheres. There are also wineries and plenty of entertainment options in the area.
San Antonio is a popular place for students. However, Wisconsin Dells is not popular with students.
San Antonio is popular with students. There are a couple of colleges in the area. This is also a major conference destination so it's possible to network and meet other professionals.
Wisconsin Dells is not popular with students.
San Antonio is a city with a few options for its public transit. However, Wisconsin Dells is a city with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.
Public transit is generally limited in San Antonio. Buses connect most of the city's tourist attractions, but you'll find life much easier if you have your own car.
Public transit is quite limited in Wisconsin Dells. There's no real public transportation in the area.
San Antonio and Wisconsin Dells both are reasonable when exploring on foot.
San Antonio is generally not very walkable. If you stick to the downtown area you will be fine getting around on foot. Outside of that area, you'll need a car.
Wisconsin Dells is generally not a very walkable city. While the downtown area is walkable, you really need a car to access everything that the area has to offer.
For even more information, also check out Is San Antonio Worth Visiting? and Is Wisconsin Dells Worth Visiting?.
It's fun to spend time in either San Antonio or Wisconsin Dells. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Wisconsin Dells due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for San Antonio, and 2-4 days is enough time in Wisconsin Dells.
Families should spend more time in San Antonio than Wisconsin Dells. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in San Antonio, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in San Antonio than Wisconsin Dells. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in San Antonio that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in San Antonio than Wisconsin Dells if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in San Antonio.
The fun destination of San Antonio offers live music and food. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.
Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the lighthearted city of Wisconsin Dells. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
The city of San Antonio offers food and shopping. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.
Visitors enjoy the food and nightlife when visiting the high energy destination of Wisconsin Dells. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.
San Antonio is a great place to explore. This city offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.
The high energy city of Wisconsin Dells offers nightlife and food. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.
Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting San Antonio. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.
Many people enjoy the food and nightlife when visiting Wisconsin Dells. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in San Antonio is $132, while the average daily cost in Wisconsin Dells is $142. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for San Antonio and Wisconsin Dells in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in San Antonio or Wisconsin Dells? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Some typical examples of transportation costs in San Antonio are as follows:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Antonio:
Prices for flights to both Wisconsin Dells and San Antonio change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in San Antonio.
Here are a few typical costs in San Antonio for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Here are a few actual costs in San Antonio for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Here are a few actual costs in Wisconsin Dells for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in San Antonio:
When comparing the travel costs between San Antonio and Wisconsin Dells, we can see that Wisconsin Dells is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is San Antonio Expensive? and Is Wisconsin Dells Expensive?.
San Antonio has a larger population, and is about 510 times larger than the population of Wisconsin Dells. When comparing the sizes of San Antonio and Wisconsin Dells, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Both Wisconsin Dells and San Antonio are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The music scene and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to San Antonio this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Wisconsin Dells for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, San Antonio is a little warmer than Wisconsin Dells. Typically, the summer temperatures in San Antonio in July average around 87°F (31°C), and Wisconsin Dells averages at about 74°F (24°C).
It's quite sunny in Wisconsin Dells. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Antonio. San Antonio usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Wisconsin Dells during summer. San Antonio gets 307 hours of sunny skies, while Wisconsin Dells receives 309 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, San Antonio usually receives less rain than Wisconsin Dells. San Antonio gets 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain, while Wisconsin Dells receives 3 inches (76 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
Both Wisconsin Dells and San Antonio during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to San Antonio for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Wisconsin Dells in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.
In October, San Antonio is generally much warmer than Wisconsin Dells. Daily temperatures in San Antonio average around 73°F (23°C), and Wisconsin Dells fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).
It's quite sunny in San Antonio. In the autumn, San Antonio often gets more sunshine than Wisconsin Dells. San Antonio gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wisconsin Dells receives 171 hours of full sun.
San Antonio usually gets more rain in October than Wisconsin Dells. San Antonio gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Wisconsin Dells receives 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain this time of the year.
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both San Antonio and Wisconsin Dells. Many visitors come to San Antonio in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Wisconsin Dells for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Wisconsin Dells can be very cold during winter. San Antonio is much warmer than Wisconsin Dells in the winter. The daily temperature in San Antonio averages around 54°F (12°C) in January, and Wisconsin Dells fluctuates around 19°F (-7°C).
San Antonio usually receives more sunshine than Wisconsin Dells during winter. San Antonio gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Wisconsin Dells receives 141 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, San Antonio usually receives more rain than Wisconsin Dells. San Antonio gets 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain, while Wisconsin Dells receives 1 inches (25 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
The spring brings many poeple to San Antonio as well as Wisconsin Dells. Most visitors come to San Antonio for the natural beauty during these months.
In the spring, San Antonio is much warmer than Wisconsin Dells. Typically, the spring temperatures in San Antonio in April average around 74°F (23°C), and Wisconsin Dells averages at about 49°F (10°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Wisconsin Dells. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Antonio this time of the year. In the spring, San Antonio often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Wisconsin Dells. San Antonio gets 216 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wisconsin Dells receives 208 hours of full sun.
San Antonio usually gets less rain in April than Wisconsin Dells. San Antonio gets 2.4 inches (60 mm) of rain, while Wisconsin Dells receives 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain this time of the year.
San Antonio | Wisconsin Dells | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 54°F (12°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) | 19°F (-7°C) | 1 inches (25 mm) |
Feb | 57°F (14°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) | 24°F (-5°C) | 0.8 inches (21 mm) |
Mar | 65°F (18°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) | 36°F (2°C) | 2.2 inches (55 mm) |
Apr | 74°F (23°C) | 2.4 inches (60 mm) | 49°F (10°C) | 2.6 inches (65 mm) |
May | 79°F (26°C) | 4.4 inches (111 mm) | 60°F (16°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
Jun | 84°F (29°C) | 3.7 inches (94 mm) | 70°F (21°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) |
Jul | 87°F (31°C) | 2.2 inches (57 mm) | 74°F (24°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) |
Aug | 87°F (31°C) | 2.6 inches (66 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) |
Sep | 82°F (28°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 2.8 inches (70 mm) |
Oct | 73°F (23°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 52°F (11°C) | 1.9 inches (48 mm) |
Nov | 64°F (18°C) | 2.6 inches (66 mm) | 39°F (4°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) |
Dec | 56°F (13°C) | 1.6 inches (40 mm) | 25°F (-4°C) | 1.6 inches (41 mm) |